Welcome Back, Kineasha!
I’m so encouraged, y’all. Last week I checked in with one of the agents who asked to see my manuscript this fall when I won the ACFW Genesis award. She had good news for me…and some bad news. The good news is that she really likes my work. The bad news is that the book is too short; it doesn’t fit into publishers’ prescribed genre length requirements.
I allowed myself a few moments of disappointment…but only a few. I wrapped my heart around the positives. The book is good, just not long enough. Hmm…I cast my mind back to the major, ruthless revision that had cut 8,000 words and an entire character from the manuscript. It was a much-needed revision that improved the pacing, sharpened the conflict, and made it a better book overall. My writing mentor, however, expressed regret about the character I’d set aside.
“I like Kineasha,” Patti told me.
“I do, too,” I replied. “I had plans for her later on in the series.”
I still like Kineasha and I still want her to be the protagonist in a future prayer shawl novel. I wondered if I put her back in the book if this agent would be willing to look at the book again. Patti told me not to waste time wondering, but to contact the agent and ask. I quickly emailed the agent before I could lose my nerve. A little more than an hour later, I had my answer. Yes, she would look at it again (!!) and reminded me to keep the pacing and interest high as I added this character to the story.
This is not a promise that she will represent me if I can revise the book to meet publishers’ length requirements. The words that make the book longer have to be good, move the story forward, deepen and enrich it. I’m excited to get to know Kineasha better as I weave her back into the story. Please pray with me that this revision will result in an even better book. Thank you!
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